What is the official name of Washington, D.C.’s annual Memorial Day parade?

Washington, D.C.’s annual Memorial Day parade is officially called the National Memorial Day Parade.

The event takes place along Constitution Avenue and honors American service members who died in military service. It features marching bands, veterans’ groups, active-duty personnel, ceremonial units, floats, and historical participants.

The parade is organized by the American Veterans Center. It is distinct from the National Memorial Day Concert, which is a separate Washington event held at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

Memorial Day parades are held in many American communities, but the National Memorial Day Parade is the major annual parade in the nation’s capital. Its focus is remembrance rather than simply marking the beginning of summer.